Finally putting the rumors and speculation to rest, ABC announced that it has reached a deal to bring Idol back perhaps as soon as March 2018. As always, my primary interest in this development is about the business of Idol as a zero-to-hero star-making vehicle. Its entertainment value to me is based on how good they are... Continue Reading →
My Three Favorite Rolling Stones Songs
The other night I got a random text from my friend JT – sadly, not that JT - asking me my three favorite Rolling Stones songs. In my first text back, I protested at the impossibility of answering such a question, especially considering the immediacy of a response that a text usually implies. And then... Continue Reading →
Back to Reality: Lauren and La’P
Back to Reality is periodic feature of the blog where I report on the real world doings of ex-Idolists, as well as past contestants from The Voice and X-Factor. In truth, I only ever watched these shows to find people worth talking about once they were competing in the business, and by the business, I mean the industry. My... Continue Reading →
"Watching Prince was like watching God's love. It was superhuman." (Spoon's Britt Daniel)
Motown Monday: Motown Gold?
Motown Mondays is a regular feature of this blog. By "regular" I mean whenever I feel like it but at least always on a Monday; and always about Motown, duh. August 22, 1978 was an important date in the history of Motown. On that day, the iconic music company was awarded its first Gold album... Continue Reading →
Ode to Chuck Berry
I didn’t grow up knowing who Chuck Berry was. I grew up on The Beatles. One Christmas I got The Beatles Second Album - the first of many, many albums I would wear out - and Beatles ’65. Two songs from those albums always stuck out: Roll Over Beethoven and Rock and Roll Music. The... Continue Reading →
Ray's Musings 